[ADDED] Transforming Objects (Move, Rotate, Scale)

[mitchfx]

So far I'm really loving Simplify3D and all the cool features. However as a professional 3d artist used to software like 3ds Max and Maya I find the methods for transforming parts a little slow and clunky.

First of all, it would be nice to be able rotate your model interactively in the viewport in any axis other than Z. Maybe hotkey modifiers to switch between XYZ? I would love to ability to rotate on each axis individually in the view without the need for the numeric input panel. A gizmo for move, rotate, scale would be splendid as well. Even freeware software like MeshMixer and 123d have this and it makes arranging objects in 3d space a lot more interactive.

Also, when using the spinner inputs for the numeric transforms (Model Settings panel) there should be a way to disable the degree snapping feature. Right now it looks to be fixed at 30deg increments every time you click one of the arrows. I would like to be able to hold down and drag up and down on the arrows for smooth adjustment or at least click and rotate in smaller increments without having the manually type the values in every time. A possible way to handle this would be to have both the numerical spinners (for fine adjustment) and a set of "+30 / -30" deg buttons next to those.

The other thing that makes fine adjustments challenging is the fact the model constantly updates in the view as you type in a new rotational value instead of waiting for the enter key. This means if you are changing from 15 to 17 degrees the model snaps from 15 to 1 after you backspace over the 5, then back to 17 when you type the rest. The result is jarring and makes it difficult to really compare before/after fine tuning of placement.

Examples of object manipulation in other 3d software...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ny8EU9aGl4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuhfIk01AtM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyx0UW6ELBQ

Thanks,
M

[mitchfx]

After some more usage I have to say the lack of a proper transformation UI in the viewport is quite frustrating. I was watching some tutorials for Cura and see that even it has some basic manipulation gizmos for rotation, move and scale.

https://vimeo.com/62168330
@~1:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biCWssfil2A
@~4:20

I could almost accept the lack of a gizmo interface for transformations if the value arrows in the model settings panel allowed some kind of smooth scrubbing instead of only clicking in huge (90deg) increments. You should be able to hold down your mouse button while over the arrows and drag up and down to change the XYZ values in fine steps. Check out the way it works in 3ds Max. Very fluid and intuitive...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FWGiRTYEMw
Spinner value dragging @ 5:35 (rest of video is great example of user friendly gizmo transform UI in viewport).

Thanks,
Mitch

[S3D-Jason]

This feature was added in version 3.0. Go to Tools > Options (or Simplify3D > Preferences on a Mac) and enable the "always show full 3D gizmo" option. You can then follow the tutorial in this video to quickly switch between the different move/scale/rotate modes and use the 3D gizmo to visually manipulate the part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIhpUfCorSM